Schultz defends Forest Service reorg + Disaster declaration approved after storm causes $5.9M in damages

By Christina Lords | Editor-in-Chief

USDA Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz meets with employees of the Kisatchie National Forest in Louisiana on April 2, 2025. (Photo by Preston Keres/USDA)

ENVIRONMENT

Chief Tom Schultz details, defends largest Forest Service reorganization in a century

By Mike Koshmrl

Schultz says he will wait until after the already deadly, active wildfire season dies down before reassigning regional personnel and opening the doors on state offices.

“Sometimes toward the end of October, early November is when we’d be looking at getting those offices operational,” the Forest Service chief said.

U.S. President Donald Trump has approved the state of Idaho’s major disaster declaration to help six North Idaho counties affected by a severe storm. (Photo by Getty Images)

GOVERNMENT + POLITICS

Disaster declaration approved to help counties in North Idaho after storm causes $5.9M in damages

By Christina Lords

The Idaho Office of Emergency Management is also encouraging residents of southwest Idaho who experienced damage from the recent June 26-27 storm to report damages.

Fireworks explode over Boise’s Ann Morrison Park during the city’s annual July 4 celebrations. (Photo courtesy of the city of Boise)

LIVING

Idaho cities prepare for ‘once in a lifetime’ America 250 events

By Valentin Termite

“Moments like this, where nationally we can come together and be so proud of our country’s history and also acknowledge its complexity,” Idaho State Historian HannaLore Hein said. “I think more than anything it is an opportunity to broaden the group of people who see history as valuable, essential, and relevant to the present.”

Additional reporting: ‘Still an evolving experiment’: Josh Ritter reflects on Idaho ties, hints at July 4 performance | Valentin Termite

ICYMI: OUR TOP STORIES OF THE WEEK

Supporters of ballot measure to end Idaho’s strict abortion ban turn in nearly 110K signatures | Laura Guido
Idaho judge dismisses defamation suit brought by Michael Boren over ‘neglect’ of case | Laura Guido
In rural Idaho, medical marijuana ballot initiative hits setback after signatures turned in late | Kyle Pfannenstiel
Western governors establish multi-state task force to update the region’s transmission lines | Alixel Cabrera
US Supreme Court upholds transgender athlete bans in Idaho, West Virginia | Jacob Fischler and Shauneen Miranda
Idaho counties to receive $49.6 million in payment in lieu of taxes for federal public lands | Laura Guido
These new laws are set to go into effect in Idaho on July 1 | Laura Guido

ICYMI

Shining a light on other Idaho politics reporting

Note: Some links may lead to stories behind a news organization's paywall

Idaho EdNews: Caldwell trustees acknowledge and cure open meeting violation
Idaho News 6: 10 years after Table Rock fire, renewed push to ban illegal fireworks sales in Idaho
Lewiston Tribune: Midwives unable to deliver babies at St. Joe’s
Times-News: ITD developing plans for possible Hansen Bridge replacement

Thanks for reading The Sunrise. Did you know our daily morning newsletter is also free? Sign up here. And if you enjoyed today’s edition, please forward to a friend. Increasing our readership helps us cover more news.